Sudan owns a huge livestock population, which consists of cattle, sheep, goats and camels, in addition to the wildlife, fish and poultry. The livestock wealth was estimated to be around 124 million head in 2000 classified in the following categories:

37 million head of cattle. 46 million head of sheep. 38 million head of goats. 3 million head of camels. Sudan comes first in the Arab world, and as the second richest African country in livestock and fifth in the World. This is due to its extensive pasture lands and suitability of its climate for animal raising.

Good natural pasturage covers more than 57 million feddans, and the nomadic pastoral sector tends for more than 90% of this huge animal population.

The wildlife sector is considered as a sub-sector of the forests’ products and there are no statistical data about this sector, but wild animals are distributed in most parts of the country and they vary in accordance with the different climatic zones in Sudan. Animal Wealth in Sudan witnessed a great improvement in animal population which rose from 58 million head in

1988 to 124 million head in 2000 According to the evaluation of Animal Wealth Sector Performance Report.

The report which is presented by the Federal Ministry of Animal Wealth added that there are more than 36 million domestic birds in addition to a storage of fishery resources estimated to be produced 110 thousands tons of meat annually.

The report added that animal resources play an important role in national food security, providing the country with meat, milk and poultry products. This in addition to exports of live and slaughtered animals. Remains of slaughtered animals are utilized for production of manufactured leather and organic fertilizers, which secure employment opportunities for many people.

According to the report animal wealth contributed 22.4 percent to Gross National Product (GNP) and more than 18 percent of exports revenues in 1999.

There is a remarkable increase in GNP contribution over the years. In 1997 it was 20.1%. Revenues from animal exports rose from 133.5 million USD in 1997 to 142.3 million USD in 1999.

Meat production is also increasing. In 1997 meat production was estimated at 1331 tons. It increased to 1463 ton in 1999. It estimated to have reached 1522 tons in 2000.

Milk production rates have also been improved by introducing better breeds of cattle during the recent years. Milk production has raised from 6001 for in 1997 to 6650 thousands in 1999 and is expected to have reached 6879thousand tons in 2000.